GALWAY–Congratulations to Joe English, a finalist for the prestigious Coca-Cola Scholars Program. There were more than 100,000 applicants this year and nearly 2,200 semi-finalists. Joe is one of just 250 finalists chosen to be members of the 25^th Class of Coca-Cola Scholars.

As a finalist, Joe will be flown to Atlanta, Georgia for a special Scholars Weekend April 18-21. All expenses including airfare, lodging and meals are covered by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Based on the materials previously submitted, as well as personal interviews to be conducted in Atlanta, two tiers of awards will be granted. Fifty finalists will be chosen as National Scholars and will receive renewable awards of $5000 per year for four years of post-secondary study, a total award of $20,000. The remaining 200 finalists will be designated Regional Scholars and will receive four year renewable awards of $2500 per year, a total award of $10,000.

Each finalist will be interviewed individually during a 20 minute period by a group of three National Selection Committee members. On Saturday the 20^th, following completion of all interviews, the Selection Committee will determine the recipients of the two levels of awards. Finalists will be notified of their status by mail the following week.

In addition to the scheduled interviews, Joe will be honored at the Coca-Cola Scholars Banquet on Thursday evening, April 18, at the Georgia World Congress Center. Tom Brokaw, award winning journalist and author, will be the keynote speaker that night.

In addition to the banquet and the interview, Joe’s weekend in Atlanta will be filled with seminars, tours of local landmarks, and social gatherings.  He will visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center and the World of Coca-Cola, and attend seminars led by Coca-Cola Scholars Alumni and staff.  In addition, Joe will take part in a community service project that weekend.

“I was thrilled when I learned that I won the scholarship. I can’t wait to meet all the other scholars in Atlanta in April,” Joe commented. EMC3 will be sure to report on all the details of Joe’s experience. Good luck!